Mike and Deb Ryan need your support!

Just weeks after celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary, our dad, Mike, was hospitalized for severe pneumonia, after what has already been a most difficult year. A knee replacement last February led to an injury that required another more extensive knee surgery and prolonged his recovery by many months. Not long after he was finally given a clean bill of health from an orthopedic standpoint, he decided to address some dental issues he’d been holding off on for years. The procedure left him with a dime sized hole in his sinus cavity that became infected and caused severe pain. Eating was difficult and weight loss and weakness ensued. Then last month, he had difficulty waking after a routine colonoscopy and his oxygen saturation dropped to alarming levels. He was sent home, but, that night, our mom took him to the ER and he was immediately admitted to the hospital as it was determined that he had bacterial pneumonia, possibly the result of the dental infection. IV antibiotics, oxygen, and breathing treatments improved his symptoms at the hospital and he was sent home after several days, but, ultimately he continued to decline. Two weeks after his discharge, another trip to the ER—this time in the ambulance—led to a second hospital admission. After a 4 night stay, he was discharged, and is once again home and hopefully on the road to recovery. There are more mountains to climb and more information to be gathered, however. He will be on oxygen at home and requires a lot of care right now. A Pulmonologist at the hospital ordered a slew of blood tests to help determine the underlying cause of this pneumonia which has proven resistant to standard treatment. We don’t have any answers yet and we remain optimistic, but, the reality is that life may look a lot different for Mike, from here on out.

Our mom, Deb, had already been feeling the strain of being the sole breadwinner during the past year, and now with Mike unable to do anything beyond focus on his healing, she also carries the burden of caring for him AND tackling all of the daily household chores, which includes hauling in wood to keep their two wood stoves burning. While she is pretty darn spritely at 68 years young, her work cleaning houses is physically taxing and even if Mike could be left alone during the day, (which he can’t) working her typical schedule on top of everything else is simply not sustainable right now. Our aim is to raise money so that they can continue to pay their bills and monthly expenses, as well as cover co-pays and other medical expenses that aren’t covered by insurance, while allowing Deb to reduce her work schedule.

If you know our folks, you know that 1) their faith is the cornerstone of their life and has carried them through many hardships in their 50 years of marriage and 2) that they would give you, or anyone else in need, the shirts off their backs, even as they struggled to make their own ends meet. Separately, they are two of the kindest, most compassionate people you will ever know, together, they are #couplesgoals. They have devoted their lives to serving others and to being bright shining examples of God’s love. They have always believed that the Lord will provide, so we are asking their community to keep them believing in just that. Please know even the smallest donation helps and is appreciated and if you can’t give financially, but, would like to drop off a meal or send a card or do anything else to show them your support, please reach out to one of us.

Many Thanks and BIG LOVE,

The Ryan Sisters

(Jenn, Christina & Jess)